Shanmugam flags off Asean-India car rally

Singapore Foreign Affairs minister K Shanmugam flagged off the Asean-India car rally at the F1 pit building this morning which he said will set a strong foundation for cooperation between the two regions. -- PHOTO: RUPALI KAREKAR

Singapore Foreign Affairs minister K Shanmugam flagged off the Asean-India car rally at the F1 pit building this morning which he said will set a strong foundation for cooperation between the two regions. -- PHOTO: RUPALI KAREKAR

The 22-member entourage set off this morning on an 8000km journey which will span 22 days and 7 other Asean countries before entering India through Guwahati in the north eastern state of Assam. -- PHOTO: RUPALI KAREKAR

Singapore Foreign Affairs minister K Shanmugam flagged off the Asean-India car rally at the F1 pit building this morning which he said will set a strong foundation for cooperation between the two regions. -- PHOTO: RUPALI KAREKAR

Singapore Foreign Affairs minister K Shanmugam flagged off the Asean-India car rally at the F1 pit building this morning which he said will set a strong foundation for cooperation between the two regions. -- PHOTO: RUPALI KAREKAR

The 22-member entourage set off this morning on an 8000km journey which will span 22 days and 7 other Asean countries before entering India through Guwahati in the north eastern state of Assam. -- PHOTO: RUPALI KAREKAR

By Rupali Karekar

Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam flagged off the Asean-India car rally at the F1 pit building this morning, amid much fanfare and excitement.

"The rally sets a strong foundation for cooperation between the two regions," Mr Shanmugam said at the event. "It highlights potential to do more to accelerate integration between Asean and India."

Present on the occasion were Special representative of the external affairs ministry, PS Raghavan, alongwith Dr TCS Raghavan, India's High Commissioner in Singapore, Mr Adi Godrej, president of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and other dignitaries.

The eight-member Team Singapore, which includes two female participants, is led by Mr Leslie Chang, 49, general secretary of the Singapore Motor Sports Association. "The first phase of the rally was an amazing experience," said team member Dr Tan Poh Hen, 52, a general practitioner. "Our team is geared up for the next phase," he told The Straits Times.